AAU- Zonal Agricultural Research Station Chief Scientist receives award

LAKHIMPUR: Department of Science, Technology and Climate Change, Government of Assam conferred ‘Parivesh Mitra Sanman, 2023’ on Dr. Prabal Saikia, the Chief Scientist of Assam Agricultural University (AAU)- Zonal Agricultural Research Station, located in North Lakhimpur, on the occasion of the World Environment Day.

Dr. Prabal Saikia is a dedicated environment activist from the district of Lakhimpur who has been actively associated with the conservation of nature and wildlife during the last three decades in his capacity as honorary secretary of Geen Heritage, a nature activist organization of Assam based at Lakhimpur. He has designed and distributed more than ten thousand artificial nest boxes for sparrow free of cost among farmers, students, housewives and common people in 23 districts of Assam and popularized the concept of artificial nest boxes for common birds, viz- sparrow and barn owl. He has initiated citizen sparrow programme in Assam by involving common people to conserve common local birds, did survey of them and established two sparrow villages at Borbali Chamua and Dikhowmukh.

He has initiated steps to observe the World Sparrow Day in 23 districts of Assam since 2010 in collaboration with KVKs to sensitize common people about the bird biodiversity of rural and urban ecosystem. He, along with other members of his organization, has also played a crucial role for the protection of Satajan wetland of Lakhimpur district, a unique habitat of residential and migratory birds. He and his team did extensive survey of residential population of river dolphin in Subansiri and conducted extensive awareness programme among riverine communities to conserve the Gangatic River Dolphin population and Golden Mahaseer in Subansiri.

Also Read:World Environment Day celebrated in various parts of state

Also Watch: